2 conscripts killed, 7 others injured in Sheikh Zuweid explosion

Attacks in North Sinai are mostly implemented by the group, formerly known as Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis before pledging allegiance to the Islamic State (IS).(AFP FILE PHOTO/AHMED MAHMOUD)

Two conscripts were killed and seven others injured following an explosion beside a military vehicle in the North Sinai city of Sheikh Zuweid Tuesday morning, according to state-run news agency MENA.

Sinai-based militant group, ‘State of Sinai’, claimed the attack hours after it occurred. Attacks in North Sinai are mostly implemented by the group, formerly known as Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis before pledging allegiance to the Islamic State (IS).

Several attacks were reported against security personnel during March.

On 11 March, an army officer was killed in a shootout in Rafah in an attack that followed two others the previous day, which killed a civilian, a security officer and injuring at least 50 security personnel.

The first attack was a suicide bombing targeting a security camp in Al-Masaeed in Al-Arish, leaving a civilian dead and 43 security personnel injured. The second attack targeted a military vehicle in south Al-Arish leaving an officer killed and seven injured, state-run MENA reported.

They were later also claimed by ‘State of Sinai’.

On 9 March, three officers were killed and two others were injured as a result of an explosion beside a military vehicle during a security campaign in Sheikh Zuweid.

The group’s reach has expanded to target civilians for allegedly collaborating with the armed forces. North Sinai residents repeatedly confirmed that civilian bodies have been found in Al-Arish, Rafah and Sheikh Zuweid.

One resident described the incident as a “daily occurrence”.

Insurgency across all the governorates increased, however North Sinai is witnessing the highest frequency of insurgent activities since the ouster of former president Mohamed Morsi in 2013.